It’s no secret that implant dentistry is experiencing a boom.
Valuations of the industry sat between USD 4.24 – 4.99 billion (approximately GBP 3.33 – 3.91 billion) in 2023, with projections stating it could reach USD 9.62 billion (GBP 7.55 billion) by 2030. Even conservative estimates project implant dentistry to be valued between USD 7.89 – 8.06 billion (GBP 6.19 – 6.33 billion) by 2032.[i], [ii], [iii]
With growth comes opportunities to provide improved care to patients in need. The potential demand for implants is considerable – some estimate that 23% of the US population alone could have one by 2026.[iv] If the demand amongst UK patients develops in a similar manner, dentists need to be ready for the call to action.
If you’re considering a route into implant dentistry in anticipation of this growth, choosing the right education pathway for you could be simpler than you think.
Choose your support wisely
Any dental professional looking to traverse the field of dental implantology cannot do it alone. To be successful, you must surround yourself with talented, passionate clinicians, and seek to learn from them at any given opportunity.
When assessing the myriad dental implant courses available to you, read into the programme lecturers and speakers, and find out what you can about their own experiences. These, after all, will be the individuals that you learn and develop your own skills from.
Mentoring is another brilliant aspect to look out for; where the opportunity arises, it could mean you receive more in-depth support throughout the course, as well as into the future. The College of General Dentistry created the Mentoring in Implant Dentistry: Good Practice Guidelines to aid dental professionals through this aspect of training. It lays out the experience, skills and qualities expected of a mentor,[v] and could be a good reference point when assessing the credentials of dental implant courses, with a future view to mentorship.
Hands-on learning
A Master’s degree can be helpful to some clinicians, but it is not the only option for those first getting involved with dental implantology.
As the General Dental Council’s Standards for the Dental Team states, whilst you must be “appropriately trained, competent, confident”, the fact is that “training can take many different forms”.[vi] A postgraduate diploma, for example, is an excellent option for some clinicians. They are typically shorter than a Master’s, the level of education you receive is of the same quality, and there is no need to complete a dissertation at the end of the course.[vii]
No matter whether your take a Master’s degree or a postgraduate diploma, you must feel prepared to actually place implants by the conclusion of the course. If a programme focuses too much on the theoretical aspects of implant dentistry, and too little on practical experience in managing cases, you may feel inadequately prepared. The right course will offer you the chance to plan and place implants throughout the duration of study, and perhaps even offer mentoring after completion of the training.
Remember that implant dentistry starts long before the surgery; in fact, placing the implant may be the simplest step. Look for courses that put an emphasis on the planning and management of implant treatment, as they will give you a more comprehensive skillset and help you improve your care throughout the entire treatment process.
Be true to yourself
A course in implant dentistry should build on your past experiences, and not leave any gaps in knowledge once you have completed it.
If you currently have little surgical experience, or are not yet entirely confident in your abilities, invest in a course that will truly build your capabilities from the ground up. Every implant dentist has to start somewhere, and you will face more difficulties if you choose a course that is structured for clinicians whose skills and expertise surpass your own. With time, you’ll be on these courses too.
When you consider each element of what you want from a course and what it can offer you, you’re more likely to find a programme that is ideal for you. This could be the Postgraduate Diploma in Implant Dentistry from One to One Implant Education, an ideal opportunity for those new to the field. The course is based on hands-on learning, with an equal emphasis in theoretical grounding. World-class implantologists equip budding implant dentists with the ability to treat a wide array of cases, and even explore advanced skills such as guided bone regeneration. Delegates will establish life-long professional connections amongst a network of clinicians that can lean on each other for support, long into the future.
Implant dentistry will only grow in the coming years. To join the clinicians already providing exceptional restorations around the world, taking the time to find the right course to carve out your pathway is invaluable.
To reserve your place or to find out more, please visit
https://121implanteducation.co.uk or call 020 7486 0
Authors: Dr Nik Vourakis & Dr Fazeela Khan-Osborne
Nikolas is a Senior Implant and Restorative Surgeon in private clinics in London and Edinburgh – His special interest and main qualifications are in Oral Surgery and Oral Implantology, while he has vast experience in all areas of Aesthetic Dentistry.
He has been a practising Dental Surgeon since 2005 after graduating from the prestigious Military Academy Medical School at the University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Nikolas started his training in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the 401 Military Hospital in Athens, Greece. As a military officer, he then went on to serve as a team leader in a field hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan – an experience, which shaped his commitment and dedication to his chosen field. On returning to Greece, he furthered his training completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Oral Implantology from the University of Athens, Greece and a Master of Science Degree in Oral Surgery/Implantology from Göethe University of Frankfurt, Germany. He recently obtained an Advanced Surgical Master Curriculum in Regenerative Implant Dentistry next to Dr Istvan Urban in Budapest, Hungary. Nikolas is lecturing about Dental Implants and Regenerative Dentistry, and he is holding a program for introducing and mentoring dentists in Implant Dentistry.
He is a Member of the Association of Dental Implantology and the International Team for Implantology.
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Dr Fazeela Khan-Osborne is the founding clinician of the FACE dental implant multi-disciplinary team for the One To One Dental Clinic based on Harley Street, London. She has always had a passion and special interest in implant dentistry, particularly in surgical and restorative full arch rehabilitation of the maxilla. She has been involved in developing treatment modalities for peri-implantitis within clinical practice.
Dr Khan-Osborne is also the Founding Course Lead for the One To One Education Programme, now in its 20th year. As a former Lead Tutor on the Diploma in Implant Dentistry course at the Royal College of Surgeons (England), she lectures worldwide on implant dentistry and is an active full member of the Association of Dental Implantology, the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
[i] Fortune Business Insights, (2024). DDental Implants Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Material (Titanium, Zirconium, and Others), By Design (Tapered Implants and Parallel Walled Implants), By Type (Endosteal Implants, Subperiosteal Implants, and Transosteal Implants), By End-USER (Solo Practices, DSO/Group Practices, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032. (Online) Available at: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/dental-implants-market-100443 [Accessed June 2024]
[ii] Grand View Research, (2023). Dental Implants Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Implant Type (Zirconium, Titanium), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, MEA), And Segment Forecasts, 2024 – 2030. (Online) Available at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/dental-implants-market [Accessed June 2024]
[iii] Research and Markets, (2024). Global Dental Implant Market REPORT 2024-2032 Featruring Strategic Analysis of Danaher, Dentsply Sirona, Institut Straumann, Zimmer Biomet, and Kyocera Among Others. (Online) Available at: https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/global-dental-implant-market-report-084500208.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAC3hSn7Q7ZyyzlaJkoI8sGcxlQmcIKVMOOOgjziN-G9WgiLG1hjqZ4cn9ktDyfudFA-mDgqIuYwVsyPLweur09zXDk7avSP2v0mx_zP8Jg7YrNYGZxFDew3xI-e8Q6XjJDQ-QAEr74pbojalw3FCwO35pf-r4S8AwmgD3cFKhvIg [Accessed June 2024]
[iv] Russell, A. M., Nunes, M., (2024). Dental Implants: Types, Procedures And How They Work. Forbes Health. (Online) Available at: https://www.forbes.com/health/dental/dental-implants/ [Accessed
[v] College of General Dentistry, (N.D.). Mentoring in Implant Dentistry. (Online) Available at: https://cgdent.uk/mentoring-in-implant-dentistry/ [Accessed June 2024]
[vi] General Dental Council, (2019). Standards for the Dental Team. (Online) Available at: https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/standards-and-guidance/standards-for-the-dental-team [Accessed June 2024]
[vii] The University of Edinburgh, (2022). What’s the difference between an MSc/PGDip/PGCert? (Online) Available at: https://www.ed.ac.uk/medicine-vet-medicine/postgraduate/postgraduate-blog/msc-pgdip-pgcert [Accessed June 2024]
